Жители Хадсон-Хуп критикуют Британскую Колумбию за отказ продавать строения с участков, изъятых под плотину Сайт-С

Hudson's Hope residents say properties acquired for Site C poorly managed by B.C. Hydro Residents say B.C. Hydro is refusing to allow salvage of buildings from properties acquired for Site C Hudson's Hope residents say B.C. Hydro is refusing to sell structures from properties acquired during the Site C dam's construction, items they feel could be repurposed by the community. Nedra Forrester and her husband Ed live along Dudley Drive, above the banks of the Peace River, where many of the properties sit empty. "Other people have been told just outright, 'No, you cannot buy that. Those buildings will be destroyed along with the house,'" Forrester said. "I think that's just a shame. And it certainly shows that Site C was not a green project." A number of properties were purchased or expropriated by B.C. Hydro due to being in areas that would be impacted by the reservoir created by the dam. Forrester said they're willing to take on the liability to move garages, garden sheds, and other structures the couple feel are worth saving. "The ones that have remained empty are just derelict. The grounds have not been kept up," she said of the houses. B.C. Hydro spokesperson Bob Gammer says nearly two dozen homes were acquired due to being impacted by the project, and said some were already demolished ahead the of reservoir being filled in 2024. "We appreciate the community concern, and acknowledge that a number of the homes that are planned for demolition have deteriorated in advance of being demolished," Gammer wrote in an email. Gammer says an additional nine properties acquired by B.C. Hydro that were not expropriated are set for demolition this fall, and said the utility is aware of community interest in the buildings. "B.C. Hydro has in the past sold some items and buildings from properties that were being demolished and will do so again, where it is safe and practical to do so." B.C. Hydro also operates a housing complex in Hudson's Hope, according to Gammer, with 20 apartments and 10 townhomes used to house employees. Complaints have been circulating online about beach access to the reservoir, but Gammer says there's no plans to build beaches. "The window of opportunity for that would have been before reservoir filling," he said. "During our extensive Site C project engagement on recreation prior to receiving environmental certification, we did not receive a request for a beach on the reservoir." However, Gammer said there were requests to maintain boat access, and noted B.C. Hydro has built new boat launches at the Halfway River, Lynx Creek and D.A. Thomas Road. Left in limbo Guy Armitage lives on Adams Street, which connects with Dudley Drive. He says his property fell within a potential riverbank erosion area due to the reservoir, with a predicted impact line cutting through his backyard. "It's dragged on for several years," he said. "They've expropriated my backyard, but my house is in the vicinity too, and it has not been acquired." Armitage says it's been difficult to live with Site C, and know others in the community are feeling the same way, not knowing if further offers for compensation or purchase will be made by B.C. Hydro. "The uncertainty creates fear, and fear creates stress," he said of the expropriation. "It takes so long to get these processes through. And people don't have that kind of time to live in uncertain conditions, and neither does the community of Hudson's Hope." Armitage said he feels the maintenance of homes acquired by B.C. Hydro has been poor. "The issue for a lot of people is the waste that goes into removing them, and the fact that the properties and some of the dwellings could be utilized," the resident said. Subscribe to CBC’s Fort St. John Weekly for a round-up of the best news and stories from B.C.’s Peace and Northern Rockies.